Until Again by Lou Aronica Read Free Book Online Page B

indignation. “That was a very tender moment.”
    “As will be my fungus viewing.”
    “Yes, I suppose it will be.” Plenium shook his head at the thought of the adjustments he was going to have to make in his mind if Miea and Dyson’s romance continued to develop at the level she seemed to believe it was developing.
    As he considered this, an aide entered the room to let him know he was needed for some final preparations for the mission.
    “I’m afraid I’m being pulled away, Miea. I’d far prefer to stay here with you discussing romance.”
    “That’s okay, Dad. I’m just glad you got a chance to call before leaving.”
    Miea knew very well that Plenium never would have left without checking in with her, but he understood what she was saying.
    “How many extra guards are you bringing?” she said quickly, as though she thought he was about to signal off in that instant.
    “We’re following standard protocol for diplomatic visits.”
    “Is that enough?”
    “It’s easily three times more than enough. Protocol is nothing if not overwhelmingly cautious.”
    Miea nodded slowly. “Overwhelmingly cautious is good.”
    “We’re taking care of ourselves, Miea.”
    Miea’s eyes flicked up to catch his. “I know you are.”
    “We’re going to have great stories to tell from this trip. If all goes as hoped, we’ll have a groundbreaking treaty at the end of this.”
    Miea smiled, though he could tell that it was strained. “I can’t wait to brag about it to all of my friends.”
    “Until again, my dear.”
    “Until again, Dad.”
    Plenium reached for the button to signal off the screen when Miea said, “Dad?”
    “Yes, dear?”
    “The extra guards truly are enough, right?”
    “They truly are.”

9
    Chris had no reference point for what they were about to do. He’d had his share of difficult conversations in his life. Telling five-year-old Becky she was seriously ill was by far the worst, but the day he’d been forced to fire four members of his team was deeply painful in a different way also leaving a permanent mark on his memory. However, nothing had prepared him for the talk he and Polly were about to have with Becky.
    What made something that was going to be awful under any circumstances exponentially worse was the lie Chris had been reluctantly living with for the past several weeks. Just last night, after a Saturday of awkwardness and walking on eggshells around Polly, he’d hinted to Becky that everything was going to be okay. It was unlikely she’d interpreted this as meaning he was going to be moving out of the house this afternoon.
    Polly wanted to tell Becky as soon as she got up. Chris insisted on waiting until they’d had breakfast. He wanted Becky to eat something first, because there was a good chance she wouldn’t want to eat anything afterward.
    This was the closest he’d come to controlling circumstances since Polly had told him she wanted a divorce. That sense of control evaporated by the time he cleared the table.
    “Honey, your dad and I have something to discuss with you,” Polly said as he finished loading the dishwasher.
    Becky shot a look in his direction. He was sure that what she saw on his face alarmed her, but he was unprepared for the suddenness with which this conversation was beginning.
    “Okay,” Becky said slowly.
    Polly gestured to her daughter with a welcoming hand. “Let’s go sit in the family room.”
    Chris thought there was some obvious irony in having this conversation in the “family” room. From this day forward, would the space be known as the “breaking-up-the-family” room? He followed them in, feeling lightheaded in a way that usually heralded the onset of the flu.
    “Honey,” Polly started, barely waiting for him to be seated, “I know you’ve noticed that things have been tenser than usual here lately. I’m sorry we couldn’t share the reason for this until now.”
    Becky extended the fingers of her right hand out-ward and then